Hurley and Kohl’s Team Up For Healthy Kids

FLINT — Kohl’s has committed $250,000 to the Hurley Foundation, on behalf of Hurley Children’s Hospital, in support of its Kohl’s Healthy Kids program. Since 2006, Kohl’s has granted more than $1.4 million to the Hurley Foundation to support multiple children’s health initiatives, including rehabilitation, asthma, and childhood injury prevention.

According to a recent community health needs assessment, Genesee County residents lack regular physical activity and healthy eating practices. Genesee County’s obesity rate is significantly higher than state and national averages with the combined obesity and overweight rate being 70.4 percent.

“The Greater Flint community needs wellness education and access, especially during the current public health crisis. This includes nutrition education, handson cooking, exposure to fitness programs, farm-to-table activities, as well as wellness initiatives to prevent youth tobacco use. Across the community and through various partnerships, Hurley provides children the proper tools they need to make healthier choices; an opportunity that we would not have without Kohl’s. We want the youth in our community to improve their overall health and wellness as well as thrive throughout their entire lives,” said Danielle Campbell, MPH, Community Wellness Manager at Hurley Medical Center.

The “Kohl’s Healthy Kids” program teaches children and their parents how to make healthy food choices and increase their physical activity. Kohl’s commitment to the Hurley Foundation is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and soft toys, with 100 percent of net profit benefiting charities nationwide, including hospital partnerships like ours. Since the program’s inception in 2010, nearly $340 million has been raised.

As one of the community outreach activities provided through the grant, please join us for a free day at the Flint Children’s Museum on Nov. 11, from noon-5 p.m. The day features healthy snack-making, Pound Fitness®, and more than 40 fun exhibits. — G.G.